On this day: December 24

"Silent Night" is first performed, the Library of Congress burns, NORAD begins tracking Santa, and man orbits the Moon for the first time, all on this day.

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2008: Nobel Prize-winning English playwright, screenwriter, director and actor Harold Pinter dies of liver cancer at age 78 in London, England. His best-known plays include "The Birthday Party," "The Homecoming" and "Betrayal," each of which he adapted into movies. He also adapted others' works for the screen, including "The Servant," "The Go-Between," "The French Lieutenant's Woman," "The Trial" and "Sleuth."

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